News Media

Layton, Utah– Ethan Stacy, 4, on a court ordered visitation by a Virginia judge, was found murdered last evening in Ogden Canyon, Utah.

Ethan was originally reported missing by his mother, newly married Stephanie Sloop, and her husband of 10 days, Nathan Sloop. Sloop told Police that Ethan had wandered away from the couples apartment 5 out of the last 10 nights.

The couple was married on May 1st while Ethan was locked in his bedroom with fresh bruising. The couple was afraid his injuries Might be detected by social workers should he attend the civil ceremony at the courthouse.

Ethan was due to spend the Summer with his Mother under a Virginia court order issued after custody disagreements with Ethan’s biological Father.

Dear little Ethan is going to get worldly justice, but of course it will never be enough to right this wrong. His killers are in cells, his spirit is gone from this world. While we all feel similar rage and disgust toward the perps, many of us can find healing in applying our strengths toward prevention of such tragedies in the future. What would have stopped this horrible cycle of violence from consuming Ethan? We can take let Ethan teach us how to stop this violence.
1. It is probably true that birth control would have prevented Stephanie from having a child she so clearly didn’t want, not to devalue dear Ethan’s life any more than his mother already has. Ethan clearly had a purpose here or we wouldn’t be so touched by his story. But in the future, preventing unwanted pregnancy is a good way to stop inadvertent parents from destroying the lives of their children. This has to include male birth control, in my opinion. And as someone else pointed out, free birth control. We need to be vocal about it. And we need to be consistent in our philosophies. If we are pro-life, we don’t stop caring for the child after he is born.

2. Reform child welfare. This poor boy was forced to go spend a summer with a person who didn’t want him. We need to stop assuming that just because a person has produced a child there is some sort of bond that has been created. Clearly, that is not always the case. And we need to stop thinking that being reunited with a bio parent is in the best interest of the child. The tendancy to abuse and the failure to bond with a child cannot be “cured” simply by temporarily removing the child from the house. Our current system goes through the motions, but it is too overwhelmed by the multitude of unwanted and endangered children to actually evolve into what is best for our culture. I think we are at crisis point here.
3. Think big picture in terms of culture. If we don’t honor our children and take the time to teach them how to behave in this world, they will destroy eachother as adults. They learn, whether we intend to teach them or not. We need to stop teaching them that violence is entertaining, that boundaries are irrelevant, that you deal with stress by intoxicating yourself, and you can only find ultimate happiness by being in a sexual relationship with another. Just by exposing children to modern media, we are teaching them how to destroy themselves and each other. We need to force our culture to have higher standards by questioning whether it is really good for our children or not.
4. I obviously have no idea what all the answers are but I know our world is out of control in terms of violence, especially toward our dearest most vulnerable citizens. To honor the sweet little lives lost, Ethan, Haleigh, Sommer and so many more, we need to be diligent and draw clear lines between what we will tolerate and what we will not. We cannot withdraw because it is too painful. We can’t allow ourselves to get tangled up in the branches of anger and despair. We have to keep moving and keep thinking and keep talking and make it happen.

Bottom line: We need to keep talking about ending violence. We can’t stop. Find the issues you feel most passionate about and be relentless in your pursuit of change.

Ethan’s monster of a mother and devil of a stepfather, Stephanie & Nathaneal Sloop, were charged with numerous violent crimes yesterday. Included was aggravated murder, punishable by death or life without parole. Thank God these vermin will never breath another free breath as long as they both live. Below are 2 links to Salt Lake City news stories:

Ragdoll, we just finished with a week of Vacation Bible School. Filled with lots of children and teens, what a blessing. Part of my responsibilities included being in charge of the time out corner. Frankly, there were many parents who needed to be in time out with me. There were moments I wanted to scream at the parents to look with fresh eyes at the precious gifts they have been given. Many adults already know this, of course — but it amazes me to see the way people talk to their children.
Anyway, by and large, it was wonderful and my mantra for the week was “you are good . . . we need to learn . . . you are loved . . .”
Thought of Ethan so much. He will forever be ingrained on my heart, like Sandra Cantu, Sarah Foxwell, and Christine Sheddy.

I’m sorry I’ve missed your post all this time. I was thinking of Ethan today. His sweet little face gets to me. Tugs at my heart.

I’ve observed the same behaviour in parents you’ve brought up. I am the first to admit, I’ve lost my cool. I finally realized that rage is a familial quality, including extended relatives. I finally realized I needed to address this, not just for myself but my family.

There are so many different ways to deal with tantrums, defiance, rage, anger, etc. I wish people would explore coping skills and put plans into place when volatile situations like this happen. Personally, I’ve learned to put my hand up and walk out of a room before I speak or act. That’s my plan and it’s 100% effective thus far for 2 years (2 years rage free!). As for my son, when he acts out, I don’t feed into his ‘behaviour’. I’ve learned to take him by the hand, send him to his room….tell him briefly ‘why’ he’s receiving a time out. A lot of disrespectable things come out but it’s about control and as parents, we must set that example of control for our children! I swear by this! It hasn’t ended explosive situations but it has weakened the intensity, shortened the tantrums and everyone learns accountability.

I am adopting your mantra. Your heart procedes you dear heart. You’ve shared much of yourself with us on this site. I read your posts and am always grateful for your contribution. God bless you ~Sister friend~

Cannot even begin to know the pain Mr. Stacey and his family are feeling. I just want them to know others are sharing, as best we can, in that pain. I rejoice, however, for Ethan celebrated Jesus’ birthday party with Jesus himself this year. What fun they assuredly had . . . my present is never to forget . . . Ethan and others or Jesus.

This poor little boy’s death haunts me as does the death of Jonathan Foster, a 12 year-old who was killed on Christmas eve last year right after being reunited with his mother. His story was never covered on this blog but I hope no one forgets him. He was a sweet and loving young man who only wanted to know his mother and paid with his life. Let us pray this season for justice in the cases of Ethan Stacy, Jonathan Foster and, of course, Kyron Horman, wherever he may be. May God bless and keep them, every one.